Workshops
Workshops for Early Childhood Educators & Teachers
These thoughtfully designed workshops support educators in deepening their understanding of play-based learning while offering practical, hands-on strategies they can bring back to their classrooms. Each session is grounded in current research, aligns with How Does Learning Happen? (2014), and encourages educators to reflect, collaborate, and engage with materials in meaningful ways.
Whether you’re looking to enhance your use of loose parts, embrace the outdoors with confidence, or better understand the power of sensory play and schemas, these workshops offer inspiration, practical tools, and time to play and connect with peers. Workshops are interactive, reflective, and full of real-world ideas to help educators create learning environments that are joyful, intentional, and rooted in children’s natural curiosities.
The Language of Loose Parts
This hands-on workshop explores the importance of play and loose parts in early learning environments. How Does Learning Happen? (2014) describes the environment as “the third teacher” and highlights the power of “interesting and complex” open-ended materials. However, the document offers limited detail on what open-ended materials are and how they can be used to create rich, meaningful learning experiences. In this workshop, we’ll explore the benefits of open-ended materials—also known as loose parts—and answer questions such as: Where can I find loose parts? How can I display them? How can I set up a learning environment that engages and educates children through play? Educators will have the opportunity to explore a wide variety of materials, engage in hands-on experiences, and participate in meaningful discussions around loose parts and open-ended play.
Outdoor Play Is Too Dangerous and Other Early Childhood Myths Dispelled
This workshop examines common myths and barriers that prevent children from spending meaningful time outdoors—such as harsh weather conditions or pressure to meet curriculum outcomes. Together, we’ll explore how these challenges can be overcome and how outdoor environments can support deep, joyful learning. Educators will walk away with a refreshed perspective on outdoor play, practical ideas to embrace nature in all seasons, and strategies to confidently use the outdoors as a powerful learning space.
Sensory Play, Sensory Bins, and Play Schemas
This interactive workshop highlights the importance of sensory play and its deep connection to play schemas. Sensory bins offer children rich, hands-on experiences that stimulate multiple senses and support holistic development. We’ll explore how sensory play benefits children’s overall well-being, what it looks like inside and outside the classroom, and how to create engaging, cost-effective, and meaningful sensory activities. Educators will engage in hands-on exploration, gain fresh ideas for sensory bins and schema-based play, and leave with practical strategies they can use right away. This workshop was recently presented to over 2,000 participants online through Scholar’s Choice and received overwhelmingly positive feedback.
Please e-mail ericarivietz@gmail.com to schedule your workshop today!
